How US Navy Helicopter & Aircraft Crash in South China Sea

On Sunday afternoon, at around 2:45 p.m. local time, a U.S. Navy MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the Battle Cats of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73 experienced a mishap while conducting routine operations from USS Nimitz. About 30 minutes later, an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet assigned to the Fighting Redcocks of Strike Fighter Squadron 22 also experienced a mishap while conducting unleaded operations on the carrier. The crew members in both incidents ejected and were promptly rescued by onboard search and rescue.

Why Did the Aircraft Crash? Navy Investigates Fuel Issue

Preliminary comments from President Trump suggest that “bad fuel” may have contributed to the incidents, but official investigation teams have yet to confirm a cause. The Navy made clear that nothing will be “hidden” and that details of the investigation will be released for transparency. President Trump was traveling in Asia and discussed the crash with media, underscoring its unusual nature.​

South China Sea: Hotspot for Military Tensions

The South China Sea is a point of growing geopolitical tensions where the U.S military regularly deploys to show support for freedom-of-navigation and to counter China’s assertions of territorial waters. China, for its part, also stated it would be ready to help with search and rescue and humanitarian needs, while expressing widespread condemnation of U.S. military forces as undermining security in the area.

Rescue Operation: All Crew Safe, No Injuries

Both the three crew members of the MH-60R Sea Hawk and both aviators of the US Navy Aircraft Super Hornet were successfully rescued from the sea with none of the individuals suffering any major injuries. The Pacific Fleet also reiterated that strictly followed all the proper protocols with regard to search and rescue and members of the U.S. Coast Guard worked quickly and efficiently to increase any outcome for all involved. Medical assessment of all individuals involved verified that all their status was stable.

Recent Issues with Navy Aircraft

The F/A-18 Super Hornet has had a number of accidents this year that have led to questions about maintenance, logistics and operational stress on equipment. The Navy's investigation intends to look into these concerns to improve future operational safety. 

Global Reactions: China Offers Help, Urges Restraint

China's foreign ministry offered humanitarian assistance but called on restraint linking the frequency of U.S. operations in disputed waters to increasing problems with maritime security. This comes amid broader disputes involving island chains and airspace in the Asia-Pacific.

Also users on twitter shared different opinions and raise questions, a user @covrovski wrote:

"People havent been paying attention, US has been losing a lot of aircraft the past couple of years..."

People havent been paying attention, US has been losing a lot of aircraft the past couple of years. This isnt new its a continuing trend. They + their allies have lost more aircraft than Russia has in combat the past 2 years.

— covrovski (@covrovski) October 27, 2025